Coal
A Non-Renewable Resource
How is Coal formed?
Way back before the dinosaurs, we're talking 300 million years ago, plants lived in swampy forests. These plants died and covered the bottom of the swamps. This layer of dead plants was covered with layers of water and dirt which trapped the energy of the dead plants. HEAT and PRESSURE over time turned the plant remains into coal.
What is Coal used for?
- To generate electricity: Coal is burned to make steam. Steam turns giant turbines to generate electricity.
- To make plastics, fertilizers, steel